War backdrop

War movies

Gritty and poignant depictions of conflict, focusing on the bravery, tragedy, and humanity found on the battlefield.

Subgenres include: Age of Sail & Early Modern Warfare, 19th Century Wars, World War I.

Hansan: Rising Dragon

1. Hansan: Rising Dragon

War Action Drama History
6.6
20222h 10min

Overview

In 1592, admiral Yi Sun-sin and his fleet face off against the might of the invading Japanese navy and its formidable warships. As the Korean forces fall into crisis, the admiral resorts to using his secret weapon, the dragon head ships known as geobukseon, in order to change the tide of this epic battle at sea.


Kingdom 2: Far and Away

2. Kingdom 2: Far and Away

Action Adventure War
6.7
20222h 14min

Overview

It follows a young man who dreams of becoming a general and Ying Zheng, whose goal is unification.


Sniper: The White Raven

3. Sniper: The White Raven

War Action Drama Modern Conflicts Military Action
6.4
20222h

Overview

Mykola is an eccentric pacifist who wants to be useful to humanity. When the war begins in Donbas, Mykola’s naive world is collapsing as the militants kill his pregnant wife and burn his home to the ground. Recovered, he makes a cardinal decision and gets enlisted in a sniper company. Having met his wife’s killers, he emotionally breaks down and arranges “sniper terror” for the enemy.

Themes

Dehumanization in war, Violence and restraint, Pacifism under pressure, Trauma of warfare, Duty and revenge, Grief and memory in conflict

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Operation Mincemeat

4. Operation Mincemeat

War History Drama World War II Historical Event
6.6
20222h 8min

Overview

In 1943, two British intelligence officers concoct Operation Mincemeat, wherein their plan to drop a corpse with false papers off the coast of Spain would fool Nazi spies into believing the Allied forces were planning to attack by way of Greece rather than Sicily.

Themes

Deception rooted in true story, Spy deception in world war ii, Remake driven misdirection, Secrecy and risk management, Spy craft and loyalty testing, Planning under uncertainty

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Benediction

5. Benediction

Drama History War
6.6
20212h 17min

Overview

Poet Siegfried Sassoon survived the horrors of fighting in the First World War and was decorated for his bravery, but became a vocal critic of the government's continuation of the war when he returned from service. Adored by members of the aristocracy as well as stars of London's literary and stage world, he embarked on affairs with several men as he attempted to come to terms with his homosexuality.


The Ambush

6. The Ambush

War Action Drama
6.1
20211h 50min

Overview

It is the winter of 2018, the men and women of the UAE military are deployed to provide aid. At the Mocha Base, spirits are high as three Emirati soldiers anticipate an imminent return home. While on their final routine patrol, the three soldiers, Ali, Bilal and Hindasi are ambushed by heavily armed militants on their route, through a narrow canyon. Trapped, wounded, and out of communication range, the three soldiers realize the gravity of their situation. They are running out of options, munitions - and time. Back at the base, their commander receives word and realizes that the assault on the UAE army patrol was premeditated. A rescue mission is quickly put into action, but will air and land support reach the men in time, and will they survive?


Firebird

7. Firebird

Drama Romance War Historical Drama Passionate Romance
7.1
20211h 47min

Overview

At the height of the Cold War, a troubled soldier forms a forbidden love triangle with a daring fighter pilot and his female comrade amid the dangerous surroundings of a Soviet Air Force Base.

Themes

Forbidden romance under discipline, State policing of sexuality, Romance within strict hierarchy, Public deception in marriage, Loyalty under conflicting commitments, Artistry as escape and identity

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Shadow in My Eye

8. The Shadow in My Eye

War Drama History World War II Historical Drama
7.3
20211h 47min

Overview

On March 21st, 1945, the British Royal Air Force set out on a mission to bomb Gestapo's headquarters in Copenhagen. The raid had fatal consequences as some of the bombers accidentally targeted a school and more than 120 people were killed, 86 of whom were children.

Themes

Resistance under occupation, Duty vs humanity, Civilian casualties, War-time trauma, Moral ambiguity of orders, Deception in war

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

My Best Friend Anne Frank

9. My Best Friend Anne Frank

History War Drama Biographical History Historical Drama
6.3
20211h 43min

Overview

Based on the real-life friendship between Anne Frank and Hannah Goslar, from Nazi-occupied Amsterdam to their harrowing reunion in a concentration camp.

Themes

Survival under occupation, Loss and separation, Fragile friendship under pressure, Children in wartime, Displacement and endurance, Hope amid upheaval

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Farha

10. Farha

Drama History War
8.0
20211h 32min

Overview

Palestine, 1948. After the withdrawal of the British occupiers, tensions rise between Arabs and Jews. Meanwhile, Farha, the smart daughter of the mayor of a small village, unaware of the coming tragedy, dreams of going to study in the big city.